2014/05/30

Weeping Willow

Da Goddess @ 14:47

Celia did her typical, “oh my God, you MOVED! I must now jump up, startled, and claw you as I run away” last night.

The scratch wasn’t too bad. In fact, it was just barely there, with a droplet of blood. However, since then, it’s been weeping clear fluid. Not sticky. Not dripping like a leaky faucet. Rather every few minutes there’s enough to wipe away. Over night, it soaked through a bandage and my jammie bottoms. It dries mostly-clear. It takes hours for the fluid to turn even anywhere near semi-straw-colored.

It’s weird.

The more I move around, the more it flows. I think it’s related to some slight edema as opposed to anything else. It’s. Just. Strange. I feel like a damn weeping willow.

In other news, my pharmacy sucks. My new adjuster is cool. And I think I’ll be switching pharmacies because I don’t want to keep pestering my adjuster when it’s the fault of the people at the pharmacy causing trouble now.

Thank God it’s Friday!

2014/05/29

Thursday Threesome

Da Goddess @ 01:37

It’s music time, my friends! I neeeeed to post some songs that have just been running around in my head. We’ll have this week be all about Three Dog Night, m’kay?

Wild Kitty Alert

Da Goddess @ 01:29

Fletch. My dear kitty. It’s 01:29. You should be sleeping. Instead, you’re running around like a wild and crazy animal with a burr up your butt. I love you, Fletch, but reeeeaaaalllly! Chill. Come curl up with Mommy and Daddy and GO TO SLEEP!

Thank you.

The Management.

2014/05/25

Memorial Day 2014

Da Goddess @ 23:24

Gardens of Stone - Fort Rosecrans

Gardens of Stone sit in stillness
The lives of those buried here are mostly forgotten
They whisper to us, but rarely do we listen
And yet they speak volumes

In Gardens of Stone there reside
Those who served, at home and on the front
The wind scatters leaves and secrets
Speaking volumes of those who can no longer speak for themselves

In Gardens of Stone names are carefully etched
For family and friends to visit for a while
After many years, the visits taper off
Speaking volumes of our commitment to those who have died

In Gardens of Stone some of us wander
Searching for clues
Honoring the dead
Praying for their souls

In Gardens of Stone on this weekend
Everywhere you turn
You will see flags and flowers
Speaking volumes that we still care

In Gardens of Stone we pray
For those who continue the tradition
The sacred honor of protecting our way of life
We pray their service speaks volumes that war may
Someday be unnecessary

Until that time, we walk in Gardens of Stone
We gather to remember for those who cannot
For those who will not
Because the next to lie here will someday be just
Another name etched carefully in granite

In Gardens of Stone we are never alone
In Gardens of Stone we must continue
To pray and remember and learn
So that someday there may be smaller Gardens of Stone

__________________________________

For every name upon a stone that might ring familiar, there thousands more which we may not recognize nor find in any book. Their names, if we look long enough, become familiar to us, become part of our extended family. For they are the ones who secured our freedoms and allowed us the rights we enjoy today. The protesters on the street can do so because of these men and women. Those who cry out for freedom from religion (we’re guaranteed freedom of religion — to worship [or not] as we so choose) can do so because of these men and women. Those who demand this and demand that are able to do so because of these men and women. We can stand up and publicly deride our leaders because of these men and women. We are free to speak in English or any other language we chose because of those who lie in the Gardens of Stone.

Most will never have monuments. Most will never have books written about them. We can, however, take the time to remember, even if in general terms.

___________________________________

Memorial Day is not just about hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, the gatherings of friends and family, the drinks passed around the campfire. We’re free to do so, yes, but it is due to the sacrifices made by people whose names we’ll likely never know.

Please take a moment this weekend to give thanks to those who have served, to those who continue to serve, and honor them with a moment of silence. That’s the least we can do for them.

Gardens of Stone - Fort Rosecrans

2014/05/21

And They All Lived Happily Ever After

Da Goddess @ 02:59

Monday night, Mojo and Prince Charming broke the news to my mom and dad about their wedding. Both of my parents took the news well.

A couple months ago, my mom had mentioned she told Mojo not to get married, thinking it would cause her to not finish her schooling, lead her to not follow through on her plans with the Air Force, and on and on. At the time, I understood what my mom was thinking, but I also knew that Mojo would do what was right for her. She’s a smart girl and she’s old enough to make her own decisions.

My dad? Well, he would be fine with just about anything Mojo decides because he knows she’s past the age of making poor decisions.

Both of my folks really like Prince Charming (always have). And yet, I do know they worry about her making big decisions about “the rest of her life” at the young age of 21.

Hence, the secrecy surrounding the wedding.

We went to the Brigantine in Del Mar for a family dinner. King Arthur and I drove down to join my older sister and her husband (the ones who have taken care of Mojo since she was 9), my little sister, my parents, and, of course, Mojo and Prince Charming himself. Ostensibly, the dinner was to celebrate Charming’s graduation from college, his receiving his commission, and a last hurrah before he left on his first set of orders. Since KA and I got there early, we stopped at a shop and enjoyed looking around at antiques, repurposed goods, and smelled wondrous homemade soaps. We also stopped at the beach for photos (the few I took, since I brought just one lens and instantly regretted as the surfers were out and having a great time). I kicked off my shoes, dug my toes in the sand, wandered down to the water and got my feet wet a bit. When I put my huaraches back on, I loved the feel of the sand still between my toes and the fact that the sand stayed with me for the whole night. Just that simple exercise reminded me of what I’ve always known: I’m a total beach gal. I have always been one and I wish it weren’t so expensive to live by the beach because I would be there every single day, rain or shine.

Finally, we headed to the restaurant, had an appetizer, and waited for everyone. Mojo and the Prince showed up before everyone else so I took them outside and got a few photos of them together. The very moment they stood together and his arm went around her, Prince Charming would give my daughter a kiss. It was just beautiful to watch them together. They are really and truly deeply in love. It’s evident in all they do.

Finally, the rest of the family arrived and we settled around the table. Appetizers for everyone else, conversations going in every direction, and Mojo kept her left hand covered so my parents couldn’t see her ring. One of the conversations involved Prince Charming’s orders and him having to leave at the end of the week (the day before graduation [which had been postponed a week due to the fires]). My mom said she hoped the Prince wouldn’t forget about Mojo, and Mo replied, “I don’t think that’ll happen, Grammy. He can’t!” And after the food was on the table, she told my parents she and Prince Charming had wed. My mom said, “Well, I guess you’re right: he won’t be able to forget you now!”

We’d all been holding our breath when Mojo made her announcement. We were worried there could possibly be yelling, hurt feelings, or even a heart attack. None of that happened, though. Just smiles and a couple tears of joy and lots of congratulations.

Dinner was yummy, as was the cake my big sis had brought for the celebration. Family photos, stuffed tummies, endless smiles, and a million hugs, and then we headed out the door for our long drive home.

Mojo will join her husband in July when she drives his belongings out to him somewhere in the middle of the United States. After that, she’ll come back to Cali and finish up with her paperwork so she can get started with her Air Force career. While it’s not ideal for her to be going off to Basic Training so soon after getting married, the kids will be entitled to separation pay and they’ll use that for their nest egg. Prince Charming will be focusing on his job (and probably taking classes online for his next degree) and Mojo on hers. When they finally get together, they’ll be ready for whatever life throws at them next.

I really am super happy for them and proud of them for planning out how to manage their time apart, how they’re going to continue their education, how they’re going to manage their finances, and planning out the rest of their lives. They have their heads on straight. They have their eyes on the prize. And they know now they have total support from the entire family.

Before we left for the evening, I got a couple wallet-sized photos from the wedding, which are just absolutely lovely. I can’t wait to see the rest! And I have a promise from Mojo to come up and visit before she leaves.

My darling girl is all grown up. She’s a married woman. She’s on the brink of so many major things and she’s not only confident about what’s coming her way, she’s happy at the prospect of all of it.

Seeing her like this…seeing her so absolutely joyous…it makes my heart overflow with love and happiness. I couldn’t have asked for a better son-in-law and I couldn’t have hoped for a better daughter. I’m a lucky woman, I am.

2014/05/18

12 & 48

Da Goddess @ 02:51

Friday was my blogiversary. #12. Today is my birthday. #48.

Yep. I should have really taken those bets years ago because I’ve outlived the naysayers and I’d be fucking RICH I TELL YOU!

But seriously, I have managed to make it over the camel’s hump of my 40s and can see my 50s clearly enough I don’t even need the bifocals to focus on ’em.

Blogging? Well, let’s just say I’m nowhere near as prolific or outspoken as I once was, but I enjoy it — still — and will keep on blogging inanities until I don’t. That hasn’t happened yet, so all’s good for the time being.

My gifts, already, have been a beautiful card my mom painted: a delightful hummingbird. She didn’t even know the story about the hummingbird that flew right up in front of me while I was on the porch last week. The bird hovered there, slightly tilting its head, examining me for a few moments, and then off it went.

My other gift was a cuddle from the Fletchster. He crawled up on my lap a bit ago and gave me a sweet look, rubbed his cheek against mine, and meowed. He rarely meows.

I have no idea what the rest of the day holds, but whatever it is, I’ll be glad for it as I’m alive and kicking. I’m alive — which is good. If I don’t like what I get — I can kick whoever gave it to me. Ah, but seriously, folks…I’m happy to have made it this far in life and can’t get too upset about much because I’m still drawing breath. And that’s the greatest gift of all, ain’t it?

2014/05/16

Terpsichorean

Da Goddess @ 23:45

I threw that word out to King Arthur earlier this evening as we were gazing up at the clouds in the sky. There was one in particular that was wispy and evoked movement, like that of dance. In other words, it was terpsichorean in nature.

Why does this word — or any word, for that matter — stick in one’s brain? I’m not sure. All I know is that it was there and it was deployed. It was our word of the day.

I do so enjoy pulling out a word from my databank and applying it aptly to whatever the moment calls for. I do so enjoy sitting on the front porch, watching the clouds — alone or with KA. I love when nature gifts us with the glory God has infused in it. To me, that’s about as close as you can get to heaven while still alive on this earth. That and using the talents God gave us to identify those moments and the scenes around us.

As a bit of a non-footnote:

terpsichorean terp·si·cho·re·an

/ˌtərpsikəˈrēən,-ˈkôrēən/
___________________________

adjective
formal / humorous

adjective: terpsichorean

1. of or relating to dancing.

noun
formal / humorous

noun: terpsichorean; plural noun: terpsichoreans
1. a dancer.

Again, there you have it: your word for the day. Er, rather, your word for the weekend.

2014/05/13

Maybe?

Da Goddess @ 18:25

For some reason, I clicked on link on someone’s Facebook page and took my time looking through all the photos…crying throughout. Sheesh. You’d think I was PMSing or something. Maybe I’m just feeling a little sad after realizing I couldn’t wish the Fat Guy a happy birthday and then realized how lucky I’d been to even know him. Maybe it’s just a Tuesday thing. Maybe I’m feeling nearly 48 all of a sudden. Maybe I’m just a big ol’ bundle of tears just waiting to be shed at the drop of a hat. Maybe it’s some combination of all of the above (except for PMS since I don’t have hormone fluctuations any longer). Maybe I should just spend less time clicking on stuff I know will set me off.

Maybe it’s good to feel human. Yeah, that’s the one.

2014/05/11

Happy Mother’s Day

Da Goddess @ 01:19

For all who find a piece of their heart occupied by those who rely on them for love, support, comfort, the basics of everyday life, and (even after they have grown) guidance…Happy Mother’s Day!

May all those who look to you as a maternal figure give you the love and respect you deserve today and always.

2014/05/09

The Cutie Patootie Daffodil

Da Goddess @ 20:13

Adorable Prince George (he of the royal squishy pink cheeks) is getting a named after him. As I love daffodils, I think I may need to track some of these Georgie Boys down.

2014/05/06

Rebooting

Da Goddess @ 21:06

I’m so very exhausted and sore from two weekends of faire that I’m declaring the next few days as Reboot days.

Talk amongst yourselves. Enjoy. Topic: Cats. Domestic Lovebugs or Feral Terrorists.

2014/05/05

Pass the Skilly & Bags O’ Mystery

Da Goddess @ 21:01

I love, love, love words.

I especially love old-fashioned words.

So, of course, I love Curious Victorian Words and Sayings found on Smitten By Britain.

Weird News

Da Goddess @ 18:21

Performance art? rooster tied to one’s penis?

Sometimes you gotta wonder how people come up with this shit.

2014/05/03

How Real Women Used to be Portrayed

Da Goddess @ 01:43

I love series of photos.

2014/05/02

The Long Weekend, Part II

Da Goddess @ 01:24

Well, we’re in the last moments of prep for the second weekend of faire. I just finished folding the last of the clothes. I’ll pack in 5 minutes in the morning. And then we’ll head down to SD for the weekend. It’ll be hotter than last weekend, which I don’t like. But otherwise, we’ll be back amongst friends and making new friends along the way.

Have a friend coming over to feed the cats on Saturday. We’d fed them their wet food early last Friday, left lots of dry food and water for the entire weekend, and then fed them again once we were home Sunday evening. While that part went okay, the stress on Celia was obvious: she lost the fur on her ears. Fletch gave me the cold shoulder when we walked in, but got over it quickly enough. In order to avoid more hair loss, our friend will be here Saturday to feed them the wet food and play with them a bit. Fingers crossed!

In the future, we’ll either have to board them while we’re gone, take them with us, or have someone come spend the entire time with them while we’re not home.

Off to bed now to get the rest I need before craziness sets in.